This review discusses the roles of hormonal pathways in regulating male sexual function, particularly highlighting the impact of testosterone, and reports no new research findings.
185 citations
,
March 2011 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”
This study found that 94% of healthy men reported low libido and 92% reported erectile dysfunction as persistent sexual side effects after using finasteride for male pattern hair loss, with these effects lasting on average 40 months post-discontinuation.
13 citations
,
June 2018 in “Current Urology Reports”
This review suggests that while finasteride for male pattern hair loss was previously considered safe, there is now evidence associating 5-α reductase inhibitors with significant sexual and reproductive side effects.
This article evaluated evidence on finasteride's effects on male reproductive health, finding contradictory data about its adverse effects, but consensus that such cases are infrequent in research and clinical settings.
A 20-year-old male experienced low libido after taking finasteride for 1.5 years and considered switching to topical finasteride. He noticed libido changes with different dosing schedules and questioned if creatine might be affecting his libido.
Finasteride is being discussed as a significant treatment for male baldness, with some users sharing positive experiences and increased confidence, while others express concerns about potential side effects like loss of libido and erectile dysfunction. The conversation highlights differing opinions on the drug's impact and the broader societal implications of changing beauty standards.
Dutasteride is recommended for men on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) with DHT-sensitive hair, as it does not interfere with TRT's anabolic effects and may improve libido and aging male symptoms. Users report varying experiences with libido when switching from finasteride to dutasteride, with some noticing improvements and others experiencing fluctuations.
A 29-year-old male experienced hair loss and reduced libido after heavy drinking from 2020 to 2024, and began using finasteride (1mg daily) and minoxidil (5% topical, once daily) in January 2026, noticing thicker hair but no new regrowth after three months. He also introduced derma rolling in February and plans to continue treatment for 6–12 months before fully assessing results.
A 23-year-old male experienced significant hair regrowth and increased libido after switching from oral finasteride to 0.5 mg oral dutasteride and 2.5 mg oral minoxidil, following hair loss induced by a testosterone cycle. He reported initial shedding and decreased libido with finasteride, but no side effects with dutasteride, and noted improvements in hair density, temple regrowth, and reduced acne.